4 Best Sights in Helen and Sautee-Nacoochee Valley, Central and North Georgia

Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia

Fodor's choice

Located 4 miles southeast of Helen in the Sautee Nacoochee Center, this museum showcases a 200-year unbroken tradition of folk pottery in northeast Georgia (especially in nearby Mossy Creek and the Gillsville-Lula area). Part of the 5,000-square-foot facility outlines how pottery is made and how it was used for essential household purposes. Exhibits showcase a 200-piece collection donated to the museum, including the whimsical face jugs that have become an emblem of Southern folk art. Pottery-making demonstrations are frequently offered. Call ahead for dates and times.

Anna Ruby Falls

One of the crown jewels of the vast Chattahoochee National Forest, Anna Ruby Falls is actually the junction of Curtis and York Creeks as it forms Smith Creek. With a drop of 153 feet, the stunning twin falls are accessible via a paved 0.4-mile footpath from the visitor center to the base of the falls. For more of a challenge, try the 4.6-mile Smith Creek Trail, which leads from the base of Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park.
Trail
3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd., Helen, Georgia, USA
706-878–1448
www.fs.usda.gov
sights Details
Rate Includes: $3

Habersham Vineyards & Winery

One of the oldest wineries in the state, Habersham Vineyards & Winery started producing in 1983. Stop by the winery's tasting room and gift shop to try one of its signature wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and popular blends Scarlett, Signet, and Cherokee Rose.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway

Beginning and ending in Helen, the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a 41-mile loop through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in northeastern Georgia. Start the counterclockwise drive from Georgia State Route 17/74 north of Helen, turn left on Georgia State Route 180, left again at Georgia State Route 348, and another left at Georgia State Route 75 Alternate back to Helen. The loop passes the Raven Cliff Wilderness, wildlife management areas, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and a section of the Appalachian Trail, and goes near the state parks of Vogel, Unicoi, Smithgall Woods, and Brasstown Bald Mountain.